Bad Days With Alzheimer's

My friend Gail had this to say: "I know positives are hard to find on a bad day. I have to keep in mind, bad days don’t last forever." on her blog post today.  

This got me thinking. Yes, we all have bad days. And, for most, bad days aren't forever. However, for those of us with dementia or Alzheimer's how do when know when that bad day is the beginning of never having a good day again? I too have days, like Gail, when everything is wrong. I can't remember how to do simple thing, I stumble, hit my head, make mistakes, get confused. But, there are days when I totally, well not quite, forget that my brain is dying and there is no way to stop it. No pills, no cure, just eventually death. We can try to hide from that fact, but there is no hiding. One day, I don't know when, that bad day will never end. 

Death. I'm not afraid of death. What I am afraid of is living like the brain dead person I will be. A friend, who now helps a woman that has Alzheimer's, tells me stories. Stories about this woman unable to go to the bathroom by herself. A woman who doesn't understand what a toothbrush is.The thing is that I can see that this will not be troublesome to me as I will be unaware. But, what about the other people who have to care for someone like that?

Not throwing in the towel. Not thinking that death would be better. Just pondering the words, "Bad days don't last forever." 

On a lighter note. We are recovering from the murders of our two sheep and focusing on the antics of our newest kitty who has taken over the household. Nothing like a new troublemaker to keep a smile on one's face.

                                              Loki tormenting Charlie.              And, Loki tormenting Cassidy!

 

 

Kisunla and an Alzheimer's Choice

 My thoughts on the new wonder drug for Alzheimer's, Kisunla.

How low can these drug companies go trying to get people's hopes up? This one is a doozy. First, to take it will cost you almost $49,000 for an 18 month supply. Second, the side effects include brain swelling and brain bleeding. Nice. Third, patients only declined about 22% more slowly in their memory than those who received a fake infusion.  And lastly, it is only good for about 7 months of use. 

Keep in mind, these are statistics that I found online, and there are many conflicting numbers and thoughts, so do your own research.  This is just  my opinion  and my thoughts regarding the pharmaceutical companies. I certainly appreciate the research, but let's do more before we release something that just gets people's hopes up. Nothing can reverse the memory loss. Nothing can put Alzheimer's into remission. Let's keep working on it. 

Why do I feel the need to do research before popping a pill or getting an infusion or injection: Well:

Years ago when I reached menopause, my doctor insisted that I HAD to go on estrogen replacements. I refused because I didn't like what I was reading in my research. She was so upset with me. By the next year, however, oops, they found out that way too many women developed uterine cancer due to the added estrogen. She never bothered me again.

Also, after developing kidney stones in my 20's, I was told to stay off of any calcium. That was the thinking of the times. Now, of course I have osteoporosis from a lack of calcium all those years. It took the medical community many years to go "oops" again to a mistake that damaged many of us who blindly follow medical advice. 

Currently, my doctors have all insisted that I take medications for the osteoporosis. My research finds it to be a terrible thing to do. It hardens the bones, yes, but then makes them brittle with even more  catastrophic results. So, I refused. Fortunately, I have a new young doctor who applauded me and said, "I don't blame you for that." 

So, I know better than to bel9eve what drug companies come up with for their financial gain. Grasping at straws is not for me. I do take two medications that have been proven to be safe for those with dementia, but not proven effective for everyone. Since they're safe. I take them. Who knows if they've made a difference of not. I'm doing pretty good though so I'm not complaining.

On a lighter note:

It's hot out there in the Texas afternoon. My chickens are being treated to some iced veggies.

 

The Big A - Alzheimer's

When it rains it pours, or so they say. What a nasty string of bad luck we have had. A lot of it is because we try to be good people. So, we tried to save that little kitty only to have to put it down. (In my last post.) Then, another barn cat hat a large litter that somehow found their way into the area where we store the dog and sheep food. Mama cat tried to get in but had to go past the big dogs, and of course, their job is to protect the sheep so they killed her. All the babies died. 

A few days later, a little dog found his way to our pasture. People dump dogs all the time around here so we thought we would be kind and keep him. He got along with the guard dogs, sheep, and our little dog so we were feeling good. However, a few days in he attacked and killed our ram and badly mauled three of our ewes. He is gone. I'm not sure I can continue to deal with death this way much longer. Not sure we will continue to raise sheep. I do know we won't be taking in any strays in the future.

The next day, hubby got the call that he has skin cancer. 

I do believe that we have events that happen in order for us to learn and to grow. I'm kind of tired of learning at the moment. 

The Big A reared its head again when I somehow ordered two of the same Tarot decks. It is something that I try so hard not to do. I sign up for classes I forget to take, buy things I already have, yet forget to get things I need. I balanced the checkbook this morning. A two hour job. Something that used to take a few minutes. But, it balanced. The extra deck will become a gift. Most things can still be dealt with and I'm grateful for that. 

Here's a photos of "Buster". He was a cutie. I never got any of the little baby kitties. I suppose I should be more hardened to death living on a "ranch", but I was not brought up here and I think my heart is too soft.